Recreation director faces daunting job

News-Times, The (Danbury, CT)

Published 7:00 pm, Sunday, February 6, 2005

The department will overhaul its summer programs this year, as well as propose a bond issue to replace eight aging playscapes the city removed last year. The bond package could include adding a new soccer field to Rogers Park, drainage improvements to the park, and replacing the park's wading pool with a sprayscape.

The city also will consider buying the YMCA's Boughton Street swimming pool and gymnasium.

"It's a very exciting time in Danbury," said Renda, 36, who lives in Newtown with his wife, Dawn. Renda's appointment was approved by the Common Council last week. He replaces former Park & Recreation Director Robert Ryerson who retired after 27 years of service.

Renda's job is was recently reorganized and the responsibility of field maintenance put under the direction of the Public Works department. His salary is $58,000.

"Craig Renda brings proven recreational program management experience and I look forward to his leadership in the newly reorganized Department of Parks & Recreation," said Danbury Mark Boughton.

Renda is a city native who graduated from Danbury High School in 1986. He earned his bachelor's degree in human resources from Western Connecticut State University in 1991. He then spent a year in a master's degree program in guidance counseling while working as the assistant baseball coach at WestConn. Renda's experience includes being the sports club director for the Redding Boys & Girls Club for a year and supervising recreation in the Bethel Parks & Recreation department for four years.

"I very much enjoy sports," said Renda, who played baseball in the Little League and Babe Ruth league, football in Pop Warner, and umpired high school baseball. He also umpired games in Little League and Babe Ruth and was the freshmen football team assistant coach for a year at Danbury High School.

"He's energetic. He's enthusiastic. He's highly recommended," said Boughton. "His first step is to work on the summer programs and the bond issue."

Renda said providing swimming lessons and what the city can offer to its downtown residents will become more important when the YMCA closes the Boughton Street facility in July.

"One of the recreation department's obligations is to provide opportunities to people. Both the (Lake Candlewood) Town Park and the Brookfield YMCA are a long way from people downtown without a car," Renda said.